Department store quirks explained

Why do the up-line escalators at department stores turn clockwise? What is the reason behind nothing of watches and clocks in department stores? The miscellaneous goods counters are the open-type ones, and the clothing counters are the box-type ones -- what is the reason?

Such an arrangement, of which general consumers are rarely conscious, is the department stores¡¯ deliberate strategy to maximize sales.

The reason that the up-line escalators turn clockwise reflects the Korean culture that traffic keeps to the right. If the escalators turned counterclockwise, customers would feel an imperative conception to cross something.

Owing to this reason, counters on the right side of the up-line escalators have a higher degree than those on the left side, and they are filled with high-priced goods or those carrying popular brands.

The strategy of no clocks and windows is designed to make customers unable to feel the changes of weather and time. It helps customers enjoy shopping comfortably in a space cut off from the outside.